State Duma expects PutinТs amendments to pension bill next week

MOSCOW, Aug 30 (PRIME) -- The State Duma, Russian parliamentТs lower chamber, expects to receive President Vladimir PutinТs amendments to the retirement age raise bill at the start of next week, Andrei Isayev, head of the United Russia faction, said at a partyТs general council meeting, on Thursday.

УAs far as we understand, the amendments shall appear at the start of next week,Ф Isayev said.

The State Duma approved a bill that gradually raises the retirement age to 65 years for men and 63 for women from 60 and 55 years, respectively in the first out of the three required readings in July. The bill, to take force from January 1, 2019, encompasses a transition period from 2019 till 2034 with an annual increase of the retirement age by one year. The measure caused heated public debates.

Putin suggested softening the pension reform on Wednesday by cutting the retirement age for women to 60 years from 63 suggested by the government and keeping it at 65 for men.